Leave Nothing Behind Except Footprints

Archive for the ‘Faith’ Category

My life journey is always easier when I remember to follow in the footprints of those who have gone ahead of me. Last week I watched an episode of Sarah Ferguson’s show in the OWN network. She did a 26 mile journey to Yellow Knife in Canada. During one of the most dangerous part of the walk she was told to step in the footsteps of the man who was in front of her. If she had not there was a strong possibility that she would have fallen through the ice and been killed.

This is a universal theme and so we have universal footprints that we all can walk in. It begins with parenting when mothers and fathers pass on to their children what has been passed on to them. Mankind has evolved this way from the very beginning of time.

The poem Footprints in the Sand hold such meaning to people all over the world and has been translated into many languages because we all come to realize that Someone has picked us up and carried us through the hardest times of our lives. Here it is in case you haven’t read it in a while:

One night I had a dream– I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord and across the sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints, one belonged to me and the other to the Lord. When the last scene of my life flashed before me, I looked back at the footprints in the sand. I noticed that many times along the path of my life, there was only one set of footprints. I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in my life. This really bothered me and I questioned the Lord about it. “Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you would walk with me all the way, but I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. “I don’t understand why in times when I needed you most, you should leave me.” The Lord replied, “My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never, never leave you during your times of trial and suffering. “When you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”

…Mary Stevenson

Sometimes when we see our friends and family faltering we can carry that message to remind them that they can have faith and depend on God in times of trouble.

Don’t be afraid to make some footprints of your own if necessary so that the ones coming behind you can follow.